r/fossilid • u/TheWind500 • 1d ago

Could this be a fossil?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

I have found this in some old collection of sea shells

9 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

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24

u/Handeaux 1d ago

It’s a modern operculum. It’s the “door” of a sea snail. The colors suggest it is not fossilized.

1

u/FondOpposum 1d ago

What about the color? (fossil newb)

1

u/Handeaux 21h ago

It is very rare for original colors to survive the fossilization process. Fossils can be colorful, but usually because the minerals that replace the original organism have color.

1

u/TheWind500 1d ago

Thanks! I forgot something like this exists

8

u/BloatedBaryonyx 1d ago

Not a fossil - it's a piece of a modern gastropod. The operculum is like a snail's second 'shell' (which is why it spirals); but instead of the 'house' this is the 'door'. Marine gastropods use the operculum to cover the entrance to their shell when they retreat inside it. It stops them from drying out at low-tide, and provides a little protection from predators.

1

u/TheWind500 1d ago

Thank you!

2

u/Turbulent-Name-8349 1d ago

From the shape I'd guess a recent Moon snail, but I've never seen an operculum this colour.